((1,365 words according to Word))
The sight of the watering hole made Jawara think about little else. His thirst seemed to over whelm him as the smell of the water tickled his nose, and even the stoic lioness beside him was put on the back burner. His body seemed to cry out for water and his tongue felt as if it was coated in a film of sand and stuck to the roof of his mouth. He truly wouldn't have discovered this small oasis without having met Yejide, so the spirits must have been looking out for him.
Unlike Jawara though, the black lioness, while thirsty, wasn't so overwhelmed as to forget about her companion. She had to admit she was enjoying his company thus far. He was unoffensive and seemed to have an easy-going sort of nature and air. He was quite unlike her sister, much more open about, well, everything. He didn't seem to mind her quiet, and yet he did pursue conversation even when she looked put off. He wasn't blind or an idiot, just perhaps a bit stubborn?
Yejide could relate to such a thing.
Picking her way up to the watering hole, she scowled lightly when she saw how crowded the place was. Unsurprising really, considering the heat of the day. There were elephants causing a scene a few hundred feet down, some hippos loping near the edges of the water, and various other zebra, giraffes and antelope out and about. Across the bay she thought she spotted a few hyenas and jackels, but for the most part everyone was ignoring everyone else.
It was too hot to do much more than enjoy the water.
Padding up to the edge, the lioness glanced down briefly at her reflection before she began to drink. Truly, the water was wonderful.
Jawara himself had wasted no time as he gulped and slurped at the water. It was perhaps ungentlemanly to make such a scene, but he couldn't stop himself the moment he started lapping up the stuff. It was sweet and all things delicious. If only the rainy season would soon appear, the worst of the heat might abate but he knew they were still a few months away. "Perhaps I may need to seek out the jungle or ocean in these next few months," he spoke to his companion, allowing an easy smile to cross his features.
Glancng over at his orange eyed companion, it occurred to Jawara just how striking she was. She was very petite, but fit, and the contours of her body were particularly lovely to look at as she crouched low to the ground. Giving a small shake of his head, he averted his gaze back to the water. It had been awhile since he'd sought out of that sort of companionship but strange that he might suddenly find himself noticing this stranger, this Yejide.
Nothing would come of it, and he wouldn't speak of his sudden shift of interest, but the knowledge of it being there was unsettling. Oh well. Perhaps he was just grateful to be in the company of such a lovely lioness. "I think the ocean might be a more pleasant change of scenery and climate." He added a bit more quietly.
Yejide had noticed him look over, but didn't read in to the look. She herself was doing a bit of her own soul-searching. "Hmm?" She questioned, pausing in her drink to look over at the pale male.
He was looking down in to the water, and Yejide couldn't help but be shocked by his massive size. He really was huge. She couldn't quite get over it. "I've not been to the ocean. I've roamed but we . . . My sister and I had never the opportunity to go." Part of the female winced at the mention of her sister, feeling her ears go flat as she looked back at the waters edge.
Jawara tilted his head, glancing back over to orange eyed female as she spoke. "Sister?" He questioned her softly, quirking a brow in mild curiosity. It didn't surprise him she had family, but he did wonder where the other female might be. And if she had a sister, what else might her family be like?
Yejide gave a shrug. She knew her slip of tongue would likely open the door for further conversation. It had been a long time since she had spoken about her family to anyone. She didn't have many friends and certainly didn't have anyone else in her life. " . . yeah. For a long time it was just my sister and I. But . . . she wound up getting wounded on afternoon on the hunt. Though we kept it clean, she grew ill from infection and . . . is with the spirits now." Her orange eyes hardened somewhat as she glared down in to the water.
She wouldn't give Jawara his name, not at all. This was her family, and se was going to keep her sisters love all to herself. But she knew there was bitterness present. She hated the thought that she hadn't been able to save her sister. Hated the thought that she hadn't been able to do more, had been useless and had to sit back and watch her die.
If only there had been others who might have helped in the hunt. If only they had been in a pride, perhaps they wouldn't have been down on their luck and desperate. Maybe if they hadn't been starving from famine her sister wouldn't have been so reckless to take on the wildebeest. While they had only known each other, had been best-friends, it was Yejide who had never been open to the idea of a pride and allowing others in. Now, alone and with only the memory of her sister, she regretted it.
Jawara winced as he learned of the fate of the other. Part him wondered if she was as lovely as Yejide, or if she looked nothing at all. He'd never know, and he wasn't going to pry. The female before him looked upset enough over the conversation. "I'm sorry to hear of her fate. It sounds like you two were close."
Yejide gave a small snort and growl. "Of course we were." She snapped, turning to glare at the other. What was he, an idiot!? Ah, but she realized her temper was getting the best of her, and her expression quickly softened. Giving a shake of her head, she sighed and allowed her shoulders to droop. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm still upset about it. She really was my only companion, my best friend."
Jawara gave a small nod. "No apologies necessary, m'dear. You're in good company as I too know the loss of family. I didn't mean to pry or touch upon such a tender subject." His apology was genuine, sincere, and he dipped his head in hopes of forgiveness.
Yejide was surprised, once more, by the golden lions attitude. He hadn't been offended by her gruff response, nor had he bristled and snarled. In fact, he told her not to apologize, that he understood. She wanted to tell him that he hadn't gotten his siblings killed, that the guilt wasn't resting on his shoulders. Or at least she assumed as much. Quite frankly, she didn't know the loss in his life, and couldn't imagine stirring such memories.
" . . thank you. I don't mean to be such foul company. I just--"
"Please, Yejide. You have nothing to apologize for. Your company has been nothing but generous, and while you are quiet, there is nothing wrong with that. Please, don't think I am anything less than grateful." The brown lioness gave a small smile at the orange eyed female before turning back to the waters edge. The spirits had blessed him with her company, and for that he was grateful.
Yejide herself couldn't help but stare. Averting her gaze, slowly, the female slid to a resting position. She wasn't sure what to think of this, of his generous nature and kindness. Heaving a sigh, she stared out at the lake and let her thoughts wander and roam.
